3 month half moon conure

by Steve
(Mexico, Chapala)

I bought my conure in the market and it seemed healthy and alert. The next day he seemed alert and fine. Two days after I purchased him he seemed lethargic would not open his eyes much and then a couple of hrs later twithced for a few seconds and died. I would like to get another parrot but would like to know what caused this young conure's death. I fed him apples, peanuts and parrot seed. I had the windows open and it was a low of 56 last night. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated since I would not want the same thing to happen with my next parrot. It happened on a sunday morning the vet here in Mexico was closed. Thanks

Comments for 3 month half moon conure

It very well could have been sick when you purchased him. Painted cages often have lead in the paint. Many toys with bells and metal attachments have zinc in them and also very toxic to birds. If the person who had the bird before you had these items, the bird could have had zinc poisoning.

Baby birds are clumsy, but they should not be falling off a perch every half hour. It really is best to purchase from a reputable breeder if at all possible. Also, make sure your cage and toys are bird safe.

I really am sorry your bird died. That is very hard, I know.

May 04, 2008

More informationby: Anonymous

Thanks for your response my Parrot did eat but never saw him drink water, he absolutly loved apples and ate the pieces skinned I put in. The cage was painted brown so I don't think there was zinc. I noticed he fell off his perch that I kept low every 30 min. or so. I thought it was just his age. He also would flutter his wings a lot again thought that was just his age. Seemed healthy the day I had him and then the next day lethargic and finally layed on the bottom of the cage. I picked him up and five minutes later his whole body twitched and he stopped breathing. I got attatched just that day and a half I had him. I'm wondering if maybe he was already sick when I purchased him from a vendor at the market in Jocotepec?

May 04, 2008

3 month half moon conureby: Marcia

When my parrot died my Avian Vet had me thoroughly wet it down with cold water place it ina plastic bag after covering it with wet paper towel.Placing it in the refrigerator(this will preserve the tissue so they can do a necropsy) and bring it to your Avian Vet.

I'm sorry about the loss of your baby.

May 04, 2008

Conure death - more informationby: Tracie

The Vet will not be able to tell you why your bird died. You need to wrap the bird and keep it in a cool place and take it to the vet for testing.

You said what you fed the bird, but the real question is "did the bird eat?" Some birds, when they are young, revert back to needing to be hand fed for a while when they go to their new home.

Also, it the bird was kept in a cage that had zinc or played with toys that had zinc that could kill the bird too.

What did the droppings look like? Did you see the bird eat or could it have just played with the food? You would know by the droppings.

In the future, I would not purchase a bird from someone that you have not checked out. Make sure you have references from people who have purchased from the person and have the phone number so you can call for questions etc.